11/02/2026
New data from the EU Transparency Register shows that, under the current von der Leyen Commission, economic actors now dominate access to Commissioners’ offices, while meetings with NGOs have fallen sharply. This development raises serious concerns about transparency, balance and democratic decision-making at a critical time for EU policy.
An analysis by Table.Media shows that meetings between cabinet members and business representatives peaked in 2025. Individual companies accounted for 40% of all meetings, and trade associations for 29%. In contrast, NGOs accounted for only 16% of meetings, down from 22% during the first term of the von der Leyen Commission.
From the Green Deal to “competitiveness”
This change in access reflects a broader political shift. The Commission has moved away from the Green Deal agenda towards a policy agenda focused on “competitiveness”.
During the previous term, particularly under the leadership of Green Deal Commissioner Frans Timmermans, civil society organisations and independent experts played a much more prominent role in policy discussions. Under the current leadership, collaboration with NGOs has significantly decreased, narrowing the range of voices involved in EU decision-making.
Omnibus deregulation and a closed door for civil society
The imbalance is particularly striking in the cabinet of Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner responsible for simplification and the Omnibus programme. 84% of his cabinet meetings were held with businesses or professional associations, while only 7% involved NGOs.
Civil society groups warn that this approach risks accelerating deregulation while weakening democratic scrutiny and marginalising public interest perspectives.
US companies dominate access
The data also reveals that American companies have the easiest access to the Commission when it comes to meetings with individual companies, ahead of German and French companies. This is remarkable given the current political and trade tensions between the EU and the US.
At the same time, meetings with Chinese companies are virtually non-existent (only one meeting recorded), highlighting a striking imbalance in access for companies from third countries.
In Europe, the automotive giants are leading the lobbying efforts. BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen top the list of German companies that have held the most meetings, alongside BASF, Siemens, Bayer, Deutsche Bank and DHL Group.
Overall, the data indicate that the Commission is increasingly influenced by commercial interests at a time when important decisions on deregulation, industrial policy and EU safeguard measures are on the agenda.
As debates on Omnibus legislation and “competitiveness” intensify, the crucial question is no longer just what policies are being proposed, but who is shaping them and who is being excluded.
At The Good Lobby, we advocate for a more accessible, transparent and accountable lobbying environment. We help non-profit organisations, foundations, progressive companies and think tanks turn their policy goals into concrete results through a responsible, ethical and sustainable approach.
For more information, visit our Services page or contact us at [email protected].